What Audi's Build and Price tool does

Audi's Build and Price tool is an online configurator on Audi's website where you select a model, add options, and see the price update in real time. You pick the exterior color, interior materials, wheels, technology packages, and safety features — then the tool shows you the total price and monthly payment estimates. It does not reserve a car, place an order, or commit you to anything; it is a way to see what a specific combination costs before you talk to a dealer.

The tool works for current model year vehicles and sometimes the next year's models once they are announced. You can save your configuration, email it to yourself, or print it. Many people use it to compare trim levels and option packages side by side, or to see how much a single upgrade costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Audi's Build and Price tool shows you the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for any combination of model, trim, color, and options you select.
  • The tool displays monthly payment estimates based on standard loan terms, but these are not quotes from a lender and do not account for your credit, down payment, or local taxes.
  • You can save or email your configuration to bring to a dealer, or use it to compare how much different options cost.
  • The price shown is the base MSRP; your actual cost will depend on dealer discounts, incentives, destination charges, and local sales tax.

How to access and start building your Audi

Go to Audi's main website and look for a "Build and Price" or "Configure Your Audi" button, usually on the homepage or in the Models section. Click it, and you will be asked to choose a model — for example, A4, Q5, or e-tron. Once you select the model, you choose the trim level (such as Premium, Premium Plus, or Prestige), which determines the base price and standard features.

After you pick the trim, the tool moves you through exterior options: paint color, wheel style and size, and exterior trim details. Then you move to the interior: seat material (leather or cloth), color scheme, and dashboard trim. The tool shows the price change after each selection, so you can see when ready whether a leather upgrade or a different wheel costs extra.

Understanding the price breakdown

The price displayed is the MSRP — the manufacturer's suggested retail price — for that exact configuration. This is what Audi recommends dealers charge, but it is not what you will necessarily pay. The MSRP includes the base vehicle, all the options you selected, and a destination charge (the cost to ship the car from the factory to the dealer). It does not include sales tax, registration, or dealer fees.

The monthly payment estimate shown is a calculation based on that MSRP, a standard loan term (usually 60 months), and a standard interest rate. This estimate is for reference only and will not match what a lender actually offers you. Your real monthly payment depends on your credit score, how much you put down, the actual interest rate you receive, and the length of the loan you choose.

Adding options and packages

Most Audi models let you add technology packages (which bundle features like navigation, premium sound systems, and driver information), safety packages, and individual upgrades. The tool usually groups these into categories so you can see what is included in each package. For example, a "Driver information Package" might include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping information, and parking sensors as a bundle, with one price.

You can usually add or remove individual options too, though some features require others — for instance, you might not be able to add a sunroof without also selecting a certain interior trim. The tool will tell you if a combination is not available. As you add options, the price updates, so you can decide whether each upgrade is worth the cost to you.

What the monthly payment estimate means

The monthly payment shown is a rough guide, not a loan offer. It assumes you are financing the full MSRP with no down payment, over a standard term (often 60 months), at a standard interest rate that Audi or the tool provider has chosen. In reality, your payment will be different because lenders use your actual credit score, your down payment amount, and current market interest rates to calculate what you owe each month.

If you want a real payment estimate, you need to talk to a dealer or a lender. A dealer can run your credit and give you actual financing terms. The Build and Price estimate is useful for comparing one configuration to another — it shows you that adding a package increases your payment by a certain amount — but do not use it to decide whether you can afford the car.

Saving and sharing your configuration

Once you have built a car you like, the tool usually offers a button to save it, email it, or print it. If you save it, you can come back to it later by logging in or using a link. If you email it, you get a summary with the configuration details and price that you can forward to a dealer or keep for your records. Printing gives you a paper copy to bring to a dealership.

Many people build several configurations and compare them — for example, a Q5 with leather and a sunroof versus a Q5 with cloth seats and no sunroof — to see which combination fits their budget and preferences. Sharing your configuration with a dealer can speed up the conversation because the dealer already knows exactly what you want and what it costs.

How dealer pricing differs from the MSRP shown

The price in Build and Price is the MSRP, but dealers often charge less. They may offer discounts, manufacturer incentives (rebates or low-interest financing), or dealer-specific promotions. Some dealers also charge additional fees — documentation fees, dealer prep, or add-ons like paint protection — that are not in the MSRP. Your final price depends on the dealer, current incentives, and what you negotiate.

The Build and Price tool does not show dealer discounts or incentives because those change by location and time. To find out what a dealer will actually charge, contact the dealership with your configuration and ask for a quote. You can also check Audi's website for current incentives, which are usually listed separately from the Build and Price tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does using Build and Price commit me to buying a car?

No. The tool is informational only. Saving or emailing a configuration does not create an order or obligation. You can use it to explore options and prices without any commitment to a dealer or Audi.

Why is the monthly payment estimate so different from what a dealer quoted me?

The tool uses a standard interest rate and assumes no down payment. A dealer's quote is based on your actual credit, your down payment, the loan term you choose, and current market rates. Always get a real quote from a lender or dealer before making a decision.

Can I order a car directly from Build and Price?

No. The tool shows you prices and lets you save configurations, but you cannot order or reserve a car through it. To order, you must contact an Audi dealer. You can bring your saved configuration with you to make the conversation faster.

Does the price include taxes and registration?

No. The MSRP shown includes the vehicle, options, and destination charge, but not sales tax, registration fees, or dealer fees. Your actual out-of-pocket cost will be higher once those are added.

What if the configuration I want is not available?

Some combinations of options are not offered together. If the tool will not let you select something, it means that option is not compatible with your other choices. A dealer can tell you what combinations are actually available for order.